Here in Tennessee, we deal with many different lawn insects, not the least of which are fire ants. Though they're small, these insects are extremely dangerous to try and kill on your own, and fire ant control can be difficult to get right. Worker ants will protect their queen at all costs, so you put yourself at risk of getting bitten and stung by ants trying to defend their queen. They will create intricate underground tunnels, and if you were to miss any section of the tunnel, the infestation could resume even after all your hard work. Professional pest control companies have the know-how and tools to completely and safely eliminate a fire ant infestation. Don't risk life or limb to try and do the removal on your own – hire professionals and ensure it's done right!

1. Worker ants will repeatedly bite and sting to defend their queen.

Worker ants among others lining up to attack and protect in Germantown, TN.

The queen is the backbone of any fire ant colony. She is the only ant capable of producing eggs, so all the worker ants will defend her at all costs. Trying fire ant control on your own puts you in their line of fire – while one fire ant bite is inconvenient at best, having a whole colony biting and stinging you can be extremely painful and even dangerous. They will bite to hold on to their target, stinging with their back end. Unlike some bees, they don't lose the stinger after one strike. They can repeatedly sting and pump in venom until they're forcefully removed from the skin.

2. Fire ants create intricate underground tunnels, making it easy to miss some ants in DIY extermination.

Fire ant hill among yard near Piperton, TN.

Fire ants will create an intricate underground tunnel system for their colony to live in. Extending as long as 25 feet, these pathways make space for everything from nurseries to food transportation. Because of this complicated system of tunnels, it can be extremely difficult and meticulous work to kill every ant in a colony. A queen will only need half a dozen worker ants to start a new colony and can lay up to 1,600 eggs a day. In DIY extermination, it's easy to miss a section of the tunnel and you could end up with an infestation back on your hands even after all your hard work.

Fire ant colonies usually range in the tens of thousands for members, but if left untreated, can grow to over 200,000 ants.

3. To ensure the best results, you should always hire a professional pest control company.

Picture perfect professional spraying fire ant treatment on lawn near Eads, TN.

With all the complexities that go into exterminating a fire ant colony, it's best to hire professionals. Professional pest control companies will have all the know-how to not only rid your property of fire ants but to do it the right way, ensuring every fire ant is taken out of the equation. They will also have the tools and protective gear needed to safely eliminate a fire ant infestation without the risk of bites and stings. Using a professional fire ant control service is the only surefire way to rid your landscape of a fire ant infestation!

We give fire ants the boot. Call us today to schedule!

Pests stand no chance against the perimeter pest control we offer here at Picture Perfect Landscapes. We have been delivering high-quality lawn and landscape solutions to homes and businesses in Memphis, Midtown Memphis, East Memphis, and nearby cities in Tennessee since 2002. Our licensed team members will arrive ready to work and determined to take your property back from pesky fire ants. Give them the boot! Call us today at (901) 246-7656 to schedule your service so you can enjoy your lawn again.